A recent article in these pages about the problems faced by commuters inside the Thiruvanmiyur bus terminus led a reader to call attention to a problem encountered just outside it. When we discussed this issue with many others familiar with the terminus, the observation made by the reader was validated.
He had pointed out that most of the time, buses disgorged their passengers before entering the terminus in a manner that put them at risk of accidents.
Most drivers halt the buses in the middle of Thiruvalluvar Salai, sometimes with the vehicle tilted towards the terminus. This put the passengers alighting from the buses in the direct line of vehicles heading towards East Coast Road. The risk of accidents is higher when a bus halts on the eastern end '+of the stretch abutting a median and on the western lane near the entrance gate.
The short stretch of Thiruvalluvar Salai in front of the terminus is a one-way, and vehicles move at a fast clip most of the time.
Some motorists coming from East Coast Road ignore the one-way rule and enter Thiiruvalluvar Salai, adding another dimension to the risk faced by passengers alighting from buses.
Apparently, some commuters have apprised MTC officials about the issue and requested them to direct bus drivers to steer their vehicles into the terminus before getting passengers to alight from them.
Adding to the woes of commuters and pedestrians, there is no zebra crossing on this srction; nor police personnel deployed. to help pedestrians cross the road.
“ During rush hour, crossing Thiruvalluvar Salai is an ordeal. Motorists do not stop for pedestrians to cross the stretch even when the latter signal to them to stop. Motorists jump lanes and zoom past,” says S. Poornima, a resident of Kottivakkam. Opposite the terminus, share auto drivers halt their vehicles on the stretch, making things more difficult for pedestrians and these bus passengers.
A Chennai Traffic Police officialv says, “Steps will be taken to deploy personnel to help pedestrians cross the stretch safely at the earliest.”
